Hindu community does not observe Holi amid fear

LARKANA- Hindu community in Naundero, Ratodero and Larkana closed their total business, including their shops and did not celebrate their Holi today due to fear from the religious extremist demonstrators. They remained confined to their homes along with their kids as the unruly mobs continued protests in these areas holding sticks in their hands against what they alleged, incarceration of Holy Book pages in Larkana on Saturday night allegedly by a Hindu man in Karma Bagh area. The accused was arrested by the police and a mob tried to put his house on fire but was saved. A temple and Dharamshalla were ransacked and put on fire by the angry mobs late last night located on Jinnah Bagh Road in Larkana due to which they were damaged and there was nobody to control the agitating demonstrators. People also tried to damage shops of Hindu community. Later, police and rangers came on roads when media flashed incidents of violence. The situation was brought under control. Heavy contingents of police and rangers were deployed at the places of worships and the property of the community as they closed down their all shops and peace-loving Muslims also closed down their shops and bazaars showing solidarity with their Hindu colleagues. Today morning the Hindu community for fear of attacks did not celebrate their colourful event known as Holi in entire Larkana district, their entire business activity came to standstill as they closed their shops, confined themselves to their houses and Larkana city bored curfew-like situation. Meanwhile, a meeting of Amn Committee was held at Circuit House, in which PPP MNAs Ramesh Lal and Ayaz Soomro participated along with Larkana Division Commissioner, DIGP Dr Saeed Mangnejo and Khadim Rind , ulema, members of Hindu Panchyat and other district administration officers.

They unanimously resolved that peace should be restored in the district and culprits involved in burning and damaging property of Hindu community and burning of Holy Book should be arrested with the help of CCTV Camera and be punished under the existing laws of the land.

They said that some people have already been arrested and more would be arrested soon, a handout issued by the Information Department revealed. They asked the Hindu community leaders to open their business and shops but nobody resumed their daily life till darkness and Larkana remained closed throughout the day.

It will identify the accused involved in damaging property. Ulema said on the occasion that Islam is the religion of peace and it does not allow anyone to destroy properties of people who belong to other religions.

They said that it is their responsibility to protect the lives and property of minorities. MNAs later visited Dharamshalla and damaged temples where Ayaz Soomro told Hindu community that MNA Faryal Talpur had announced to bear the costs of all damaged property.